The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West welcomes the urgent intervention by the MEC for Department of Health, Madoda Sambatha, that resulted in the uninterrupted electricity supply to the Klerksdorp Hospital.
This follows after the Matlosana Local Municipality last week published a notification stating that the hospital, that has been identified as a provincial medical management centre for diagnosed COVID-19 patients, has an outstanding electricity account that will be cut off this coming Friday.
During a meeting between the Department of Health and the Municipality yesterday, it was agreed that the Municipality will not terminate the supply of electricity during this time of crisis.
The Matlosana Municipality’s lack of understanding of the national crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and that the Klerksdorp-Tshepong complex was identified and prepared to accommodate North West’s critically ill patients, is a serious cause for concern.
To target long forsaken credit control measures at a critical medical key point during a state of emergency on the eve of a national lockdown is highly irresponsible and also indicative of the quality of leadership that the Matlosana inhabitants are subjected to.
Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms is encouraged to contact a doctor or visit their local hospital. The National Department of Health has set up a 24-hour information hotline on 0800 029 999.